This is the beauty routine a serum-obsessed writer follows religiously

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Welcome to The Beauty Files, where HelloGiggles editors and contributors share what exactly they put on their faces, and why. We want to take you on this voyeuristic journey because we believe makeup means something different for every single person — applying makeup is a conscious, intimate decision we make almost every single day, and there’s usually a method behind the madness. Join us every week as we spill the beans on beauty products, and feel free to submit your own Beauty File. E-mail us at pitches@hellogiggles.com!

Hi! My name is Bethany and I’m a writer living in Brooklyn. It’s probably prudent to share that I’ve never been particularly skilled at makeup. I struggle to maintain a steady hand to do the perfect cat-eye, applying blush remains a foreign concept to me, and don’t even get me started on my inability to figure out eyeshadow. So when it comes to beauty, I’ve always kept it simple.

However, lately I have become fully and completely obsessed with skin care. Yes, the benefits of skin care have become the source of debate as of late—some say it’s a con, others say it’s a money-making exploit of the self-care movement. Look, there’s probably merit to both of these, but the thing is, I don’t care! Finally figuring out a skin care regimen that works for me and experimenting with new products brings me a small bit of unadulterated joy and relaxation in these otherwise chaotic, stressful, and unpredictable times. So without further ado, this is my very own beauty routine.

8:00 a.m.—Up and at ’em.

I recently started full-time freelancing, and though I’m still adjusting to setting my own schedule, I try to get up at a decent hour to get cracking. Plus, even if I try to sleep in, my cat Zora usually wakes me up in due time by plopping on my face.

I’ve always been a shower-at-night kind of girl, mainly because I like hopping into bed feeling clean and because it allows me more time to sleep in the morning. When I do wake up, I start by washing my face with a gentle cleanser. There are a few different types I like, but I switch between Appriya’s Mineral Cleansing Mousse ($59) and Seed’s Nourishing Facial Cleanser ($38). (Seed’s formula base is sunflower seed oil and the waterproof bottle is made from recycled cardboard!)

Gang’s all here.

After attending a panel on French beauty (yes, yes, I know) I’ve become a devout user of toner. So after I do a thorough face clean, I grab a cotton pad and douse it with some L’Occitane Peony Perfecting Toner ($24) to remove any impurities from ye olde pores. I’m now fresh-faced and ready for the day.

8:30 a.m.—Foundation time.

What’s that saying? You can’t build a solid structure on a weak foundation, or something like that? Well, that’s how I feel when applying makeup in the morning. I start by using this pore-minimizing base cream, Touch in Sol No Poreblem Primer ($18), which is also moisturizing.

Hopefully, this isn’t a blasphemous comment, but I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m not a *huge* fan of Glossier. I’ve tried many of its products and haven’t found them to be super effective for me, but the Stretch Concealer ($18) has proven to be a trusty tool for covering blemishes. I’ll add that to the mix if I need extra reinforcements.

Lastly, I apply lipstick. This has become a mainstay of my makeup regimen for the past several years now. I love how it transforms your face and makes you look alive. 90% of the time I’m wearing Revlon Matte Balm in Fiery ($4.99), but I also dabble in Urban Decay's Lo-Fi Lip Mousse in Amplify ($22), which is truly weightless (I love a bright red). For going out on the town, I’ll do something with a bit more flare like my Fenty Stunna Lip Paint ($24).

Around 9-10 p.m.—I made it through the day.

After a day of writing and (possibly) a good workout, I hop in the shower. Time to get ready for a major highlight of my day: my nightly skin care routine!

Two products that have greatly transformed my skin are the Moon Juice Exfoliating Acid Potion ($39) and the Moon Juice Beauty Shroom Plumping Jelly ($58). I’ve been using them for about five months, since I wrote a Q&A with Moon Juice founder Amanda Chantal Bacon. I was skeptical going in—can a company that makes something called Sex Dust really make a good skin care product?—but the acid neutralizes my skin and the plumping jelly moisturizes it so well that my breakouts have decreased dramatically. I usually stick to just that, but occasionally, I’ll take a night off the Moon Juice routine and opt for a night serum.

About once or twice a week, I’ll do a mask when I get out of the shower. I have accumulated quite a few different types but these are some of my favorites.

I love the H2O Plus AquaDefense Refining Matcha Detox Mask ($38). It is very goopy and a bit of a sticky mess to apply, but that’s part of the fun. My favorite part is peeling it off—it’s a sensation akin to peeling off skin, which I also enjoy because I’m a weirdo.

Here’s a picture of me testing out the Yes To Tomatoes Detoxifying DIY Powder Paste Mask ($12.79). Overall, a good mask, but requires a bit of work to create the right consistency (I didn’t do it right the first time) and it *will* turn your sink black:

Another favorite is the L’Oreal Pure Clay Mask Clear & Comfort ($12.99). It leaves a nice cooling sensation and makes you look like a member of the Blue Man Group or a Smurf, whichever you prefer.